Sidewalks: Sidewalks make
neighborhoods safer. If you have pets or children, then this will be especially
important to you, as you will probably find yourself walking around your
neighborhood quite often. In addition to this safety aspect, sidewalks are also
an indicator of an active community. If you want to be able to walk to the
store, or to a local park, then sidewalks are something that you will want to
look for in your new neighborhood.
Taxes
and other expenses: It
is easy to get so caught up in owning a home that you forget to investigate the
additional expenses that living in some neighborhoods require, such as a
homeowner’s association fee. Property tax is another cost that many people don’t
take into consideration when selecting their home. Make sure you don’t forget to
account for these expenses!
Convenience:
Ideally,
you want a neighborhood that is close to the shops that you frequent, the
school that your children attend, as well as to your job. A neighborhood that
offers you this convenience not only cuts down on stress levels, but also saves
you time and gas money.
Foreclosures:
Although
you might think that a street lined with foreclosures is a homebuyer’s paradise,
this is not always the case and can actually be an indicator that the
neighborhood is not located in a very good area. This is because when real
estate prices decline, so do property taxes. Property taxes support the city’s
public service and safety, so when they get too low, these can be compromised.
Future
plans: Before
purchasing a house, it is always a good idea to check with your local planning
office to find out the city’s future plans for the area to which you are
thinking of moving. The planning office can tell you about any upcoming construction
projects or road expansions that could affect your neighborhood. After all, you
don’t want to buy a house that will soon be right in the middle of the city’s
newest busy throughway.
Sounds
and smells: Visit
potential neighborhoods at several different times during the day so that you
can detect any undesirable noises or smells in the area. Neighboring train
tracks, restaurants, hospitals, fire departments, and air traffic are just a
few sources of unwanted noise that could be present in your new neighborhood.
And while you are listening, don’t forget to take a whiff of the surrounding
air. Neighboring paper mills, landfills, or even a stagnant lake can all be sources
of unwanted odors that you may want to avoid.
Crime
rate: Find
out the neighborhood crime rate and how it ranks against other neighborhoods in
the area. There are websites out there that can give you this information, or
you could ask a real estate agent.
Schools:
Good
schools are important, especially if you have children. Check out the public
and private schools nearby. How are their academic reputations? Do they offer the
extracurricular activities that your children are looking for? And for those of
you who don’t have kids, you may be
tempted not to put much value into the school system. However, keep in mind
that the quality of the schools in the area will affect the resale of your
home. Good schools are important to everyone!
Good luck in your search for a new
neighborhood! We will be excited to move you there!
